But I noticed. All of it. The chaos. The warmth. The way Lady Seraphine talked about saving lives as if it were normal.
How she stood there—with power she didn't fully understand—yet offered healing freely. Not asking for tribute or land or blood. Just… giving.
And Ancestors help me… She felt more divine than anything carved in our temples.
"These scented candles can ward off bad spirits or anything that smells bad." She placed small candles on the table—round, colored, strange. She said. "For comfort. Stress relief. Sleeping aid."
One of my councilmen sniffed a lavender candle and nearly melted. "I want forty," he said immediately.
Another sniffed vanilla and made a sound Icepeople should never make in public. I pretended not to notice. Seraphine only grinned proudly.
******
When all political updates were laid bare, when trade discussions ended, when the possibilities of uniting with the Elves and Nothingwood Kingdom were considered…
The room fell silent again.
